Ethan's Journey

Chapter 30: The Commander's Gamble

The sleek skyscraper of Quantum Dynamics Inc. pierced the morning sky, its reflective surface a stark contrast to the gritty streets below. Ethan Cooper, dressed in an ill-fitting suit and clutching a worn briefcase, stood among a crowd of eager interns, his stomach churning with a mixture of anticipation and dread.

"Remember," Vera's voice crackled in his nearly invisible earpiece, "you're Aaron Blackwood, fresh out of college, eager to please. The CEO, Victoria Steele, was one of the most decorated Night Watcher commanders before she went dark. If anyone can spot you, it's her."

Ethan nodded imperceptibly, steeling himself for the task ahead. Infiltrating a corporate giant was a far cry from his usual missions, but the intel was too valuable to ignore. If Victoria truly was in hiding, and if the Umbral Cabal had indeed infiltrated Quantum Dynamics, the implications were staggering.

The next few hours were a blur of orientations, paperwork, and mind-numbing corporate speak. Ethan fou